I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

The situation in Hedong was settled, but the game of chess in the world did not stop for even a moment.

Although Liu Zhiyuan declared himself emperor in Taiyuan under the guise of restoring the Han dynasty and under the banner of expelling the Khitans, the old man had a more shrewd understanding of the situation than anyone else.

His reason for holding back his troops, and even after the great victory at Daizhou, only ordering Shi Hongzhao to shrink the defensive line, was not because he was afraid of Yelü Deguang, but because he was waiting.

What are you waiting for?

Once the Central Plains were completely in chaos, and once those warlords who originally wanted to play both sides were completely disillusioned by the Khitans' slaughter and plunder, they would finally give up their hopes.

If he were to send troops at this time, it would be a "royal army to mourn the people and punish the guilty," a savior.

But things in this world are often like trying to hold down one gourd only to have another float up.

In this world, the overall situation is often such that a single hair can affect the whole body.

Just as Hedong made a casual move and captured Daizhou, Meng Chang of Later Shu couldn't sit still any longer.

This is only to be expected.

Since the fall of the Later Jin dynasty, the Central Plains have become a land without a master.

Although Yelü Deguang was in power in Bianliang, he was a vicious wolf who only knew how to devour, and he didn't know how to guard the house at all.

As a result, the neighbors around them, whether it was Li Jing to the south or Meng Chang to the west, all started to get restless.

The news came from Fengxiang.

Meng Chang, the newly enthroned emperor of Later Shu, truly lived up to his reputation as a man with keen insight, possessing the combined genes of Meng Zhixiang, the founding emperor of Later Shu, and Li Cunxu, the founding emperor of Later Tang.

Taking advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains and the fact that the main force of the Khitans was east of the Yellow River, he sent out a surprise force that did not follow the usual route, but bypassed Fengzhou and went straight to Dasanguan.

Where is Dasanguan Pass?

That is the western gateway to Guanzhong, the throat of Sichuan and Shaanxi.

Losing this place would be tantamount to severing the connection between Guanzhong and Hanzhong.

Even more critically, it blocked the Khitans' westward advance and cut off the retreat routes for the towns in Guanzhong to seek help from the south or flee to the west.

That kick was really hard.

Immediately afterwards, Shi Fengqun, the defense commissioner of Fengzhou, seeing that the Later Shu army was strong and well-equipped, and having resisted for more than a month without any reinforcements, surrendered the entire prefecture.

This series of events, though occurring in Kansai, caused an uproar in the small imperial court far away in Taiyuan.

There was no other reason than that this series of events directly stirred the thoughts of a key figure.

Zhao Kuangzan, the military governor of Jinchang.

Zhao Kuangzan was stationed in Chang'an, holding the core territory of Guanzhong.

At this moment, he was truly in a precarious situation.

Looking westward, the Later Shu was aggressive and seemed poised to annex Guanzhong.

Looking east, although the Khitans are in a bad situation now, Hou Yi, the newly appointed military governor of Fengxiang by Yelü Deguang, is a notorious old fox who is eyeing Chang'an, this lucrative prize.

Although Zhao Kuangzan was transferred from the position of military governor of Hezhong to the position of military governor of Jinchang by Liu Zhiyuan, Taiyuan was too far from Chang'an, and the distant water could not quench the immediate thirst.

He wanted to surrender to Later Shu, but he was afraid of being branded as a "traitor."

Thus, the military governor, who held considerable military power, hesitated at the crossroads.

This hesitation was the most intolerable thing for Liu Zhiyuan, who had just ascended the throne.

If Zhao Kuangzan had sided with Later Shu, then the Guanzhong region would have fallen entirely to the Meng family, and Liu Zhiyuan's slogan of "restoring the Central Plains" would have become a joke.

Therefore, we must give them a good talking-to.

But how do you tap it?

At this time, the main force of Hedong was tied up in Daizhou and Jingxing, and could not spare any resources to go to Guanzhong.

Furthermore, if a large army were directly sent to press on the border, it might actually force Zhao Kuangzan to rebel.

Just when he was caught in this dilemma, news of victory from Daizhou, along with the name of Shen Lie, was placed on Liu Zhiyuan's desk.

This time, the Prince of Taiyuan became interested.

Help those in distress.

Commander Shen Lie.

A junior officer in the new army, relying on a motley crew, actually killed the defense commissioner appointed by the Khitan and captured the north gate of Daizhou.

This achievement is great enough to warrant an exceptional promotion, but his qualifications are too shallow, so much so that no matter what official position he is given, he will only be Liu Zhiyuan's man, without any foundation to hold military power.

Thus, a decree that seemed absurd but was in fact extremely ingenious was finalized in Taiyuan Prefecture.

······

A few days later, in Daizhou.

"I have heard of Minister Shen's loyalty and bravery, and his victory in the Battle of Daizhou has enhanced our national prestige. Therefore, I hereby promote him to the position of Defense Commissioner of Yaozhou and appoint him as the Vanguard Commander of the Guanzhong Campaign. He shall assume his post immediately without fail."

Defense Commissioner of Yaozhou.

Shen Lie was quite familiar with the place name Yaozhou.

In his past life, he traveled to Xi'an and stopped by that small town on the way.

That's the hometown of Sun Simiao, the "King of Medicine," a place famous for its celadon porcelain, and a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains.

But in this day and age, Yaozhou's position is particularly delicate.

More than a hundred miles to the south lies Chang'an, Zhao Kuangzan's stronghold; to the west is Fengxiang, which is currently flirting with Later Shu; and to the north is a major road leading to Yanzhou.

This place is a dead end.

The title of Defense Commissioner sounds impressive; it's the position of head of a prefecture.

However, in the chaotic Five Dynasties period, the difference between a Defense Commissioner and a Military Governor was that a Military Governor had territory, military power, and tax revenue.

A defender is often just a high-level henchman.

"Defender Shen, receive the imperial decree."

The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree was Liu Zhiyuan's personal attendant, who had a forced smile on his face.

"His Majesty said that General Shen is a former subordinate of Wang Qing, and his loyalty and bravery are commendable. The battle of Daizhou further enhanced our national prestige. The position of Defense Commissioner of Yaozhou is best suited for the General."

"May I ask the angels?"

Shen Lie took the seal, casually weighed it in his hand, and asked, "Has the Emperor allocated troops and provisions?"

The eunuch chuckled twice and said, "His Majesty said that General Shen is a capable minister. Wasn't the battle of Daizhou a victory against overwhelming odds? In Yaozhou, the people's hearts are with the Han. If you go there, righteous men will come to join you. As for provisions... Yaozhou is wealthy, you can raise them yourself."

What a clever self-financing scheme!

The translation is: No money, no food, no soldiers, go rob it yourself.

Shen Lie understood the logic behind this perfectly.

Firstly, it was a reward for his merits in Daizhou. Although it was an empty promise, his rank was genuinely elevated. From a minor military commander, he jumped to the position of defense commissioner, which was considered a meteoric rise in the chaotic Five Dynasties period.

Secondly, it was meant for Zhao Kuangzan's benefit. Liu Zhiyuan was telling Zhao Kuangzan: "See? If you don't make a statement soon, the Yaozhou Defense Commissioner's sword might just pass through on its way to Chang'an."

Thirdly, it was a test. If Shen Lie's isolated army could gain a foothold in Guanzhong, that would be a pleasant surprise. If it were swallowed up by Hou Yi or Later Shu, Liu Zhiyuan wouldn't care. After all, Fuwei Capital was a newly formed army with nothing to lose.

This is nothing more than the art of rulership.

To gain the greatest political advantage at the lowest cost.

As for the life or death of a piece, it is never within the scope of the player's consideration.

Shen Lie carefully put away the imperial edict and tossed it to Liu Qing behind him.

For him, this might not be a bad opportunity.

Staying under Shi Hongzhao's command, even with a powerful backer, meant being dependent on him and constantly having to be wary of the hot-tempered commander's whip.

Once you go to Yaozhou, you'll find yourself far from the emperor's reach.